Models of American Ethnic Relations: A Historical Perspective Essay (Critical Writing)

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George M. Fredrickson’s work “Models of American Ethnic Relations: A Historical Perspective” discusses the ethnic relation in America’s history. The author categorizes the ethnic relations into several social interaction models and states them as “…ethnic hierarchy, one-way assimilation, cultural pluralism, and group separatism” (Fredrickson 566). In the plot, ethnic hierarchy is the first model among ethnic groups in America.

It is the oldest practice characterized by the dominant group, who consider the less dominant group as inferior. The second model is the one- way assimilation. It claims that involving the minority in activities and treating them as equals will enable them to conform to American culture. The third model is cultural pluralism and argues that the dominant culture should appreciate the cultural difference in the country. It, therefore, stands against the idea of the Americanization of the immigrants.

Lastly, the group separatism model holds that minority groups desire autonomy as an independent group. Its aim to see “…radicalized groups… withdraw…from American society and interaction with other groups” (Fredrickson 573). George’s work is set in duration between the start of the slave trade in America to the present. It views America as a country of diverse ethnic groupings that are under tension and undergoing dynamic changes. The main theme of the work is ethnicity and the factors interlinked to it as per American history.

The main social behavior identified in George’s work is ethnicity under which the ‘inferior’ ethnic groups are fighting to gain power. The ‘inferior’ group is a result of people migrating to the country (Lee, Bean & Sloane 26). However, the ‘inferior’ groups feel that they have been sidelined and frustrated enough and are fighting for fair treatment. Their grievances are expressed through like-minded civil society mass actions. In addition, the minor ethnic groups want the major one to treat them with dignity and the government to apply equity principle resources (Martin 7).

Works Cited

Fredrickson, George M. “Models of American Ethnic Relations: A Historic Perspective.” Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. Ed. Colombo, Gary, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013. 565- 575. Print.

Lee, Jennifer, Bean Frank and Sloane Kathy. “Beyond Black and White: Remarking Race in America.” Contexts 2.3 (2003): 26- 33. Print.

Martin, William G. “Global Movements before “Globalization”: Black Movements as World- Historical Movements.” Fernand Baudel Center 28.1 (2005): 7- 28.

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